Watch this, skip that for Nov. 21-24

“Getting On,” 10 p.m.; “Ja’ime: Private School Girl,” 10:30 p.m. Sunday, HBO As many before them have, the executives at HBO are reaching overseas for ideas to shore up their lineup. Two comedies arrive Sunday with foreign pedigrees: “Getting On” is a remake of a British series, and “Ja’ime” is an Australian import.

“Getting On” takes place in a fictional extended-care hospital in Long Beach, where the put-upon nurses battle indifferent management, uncooperative patients and piles of red tape, all of which wrap the employees in a straitjacket of absurdity. While that might sound more dismal than hilarious, the outcome is quite the opposite. Call it a Kafaesque comedy, where the twisted humor of despair is enhanced by large dollops of taboo topics and inappropriate behavior.

“Ja’me” is the third edition of a series of shows from Aussie comedian Chris Lilley, who dresses up in drag to play the title character, a clueless high school girl. Cross-dressing has been popular in TV comedies since the days of Milton Berle, but we’re still waiting for it to be funny.

Verdict: Watch “Getting On,” skip “Ja’mie”

WATCH THIS

“An Adventure in Space and Time,” 9 p.m. Friday; “Dr Who: The Day of the Doctor,” 11:50 a.m. Saturday, BBC America The 50th anniversary of “Dr. Who” is commemorated this weekend with a movie about the birth of the series and a special episode that will feature several incarnations of the ever-changing Doctor. The special airs simultaneously around the globe – hence the odd start time – but will repeat several times throughout the day, including 8 p.m.

SKIP THAT

“American Music Awards,” 8 p.m. Sunday, ABC The awards-happy entertainment business looks for any opportunity to congratulate itself, especially if a three-hour TV special is attached. The AMAs line up plenty of big-name talent, but the performances always seem more promotional than special.